THOMASVILLE — A former longtime Thomasville city manager will become the City of Camilla’s interim city manager in late January.

 Steve Sykes will serve in the post for six months.

“My job is to serve while they search for a city manager,” Sykes told the Times-Enterprise Tuesday.

Sykes, whose resignation from the City of Thomasville was effective Dec. 31, will not apply for the permanent job.

He will work with the team assembled in Camilla city government.

“They’re a miniature Thomasville,” said Sykes about the town of about 5,200.

Camilla is a member of the South Georgia Governmental Services Authority, a partnership providing cable TV, Internet, telephone and telecommunication services for Southwest Georgia cities, including Thomasville, Cairo and Moultrie.

“They’re a MEAG (Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia) city,” Sykes said. “They have an electric system.” 

Camilla also has a natural gas system.

Camilla is governed by a seven-member council made up of a mayor and six council members — three from each of two districts.

A solid industrial base, a large food equity group and an ethanol plant are among Camilla’s biggest strengths, Sykes said.

He said that the entities use a lot of electricity and natural gas and provide good jobs.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” Sykes said.

Having been city manager and building a team for 14 years and being employed by the City of Thomasville for 30 years, Sykes said he will take on new personnel in Camilla.

He compared the situation to a head football coach who changes teams and has to work under new ownership and with new personnel.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820